Vetnews July 2021: Canine cholangitis, cholecystitis and gallbladder mucocoeles

Introduction

Bile is produced continuously and is composed of 97% water, 0.7% bile salts, 0.2% bilirubin, 0.51% fats (cholesterol, fatty acids, and lecithin) and 200 meq/l inorganic salts. Hepatocytes excrete cholesterol and bilirubin into the canaliculi, then water, bicarbonate and sodium ions are secreted via the lining of the ducts. Bile flows from canaliculi to terminal bile ducts, to hepatic ducts and then the cystic duct (which enters into the gall bladder (GB)). Bile is stored in the gallbladder until stimulation from fatty acids in the duodenum results in release of cholecystokinin and subsequent contraction of the GB. Bile then travels down the common bile duct and enters the duodenum at the major duodenal papilla.